Least we forget we are looking at learning how to walk by the spirit, that is the spirit being our awakened and renewed spirit. And in this way become imitators of GOD in Christ's humanity form. Let's see what Paul has to reveal for us, shall we? Before he draws the parallels between our one-ness to GOD, with that of our one-ness in marriage to each other or the church, as our Representative in type of in a shadowy figure. Using the form of the marriage of a man with a women. This being lost by some who keep things in a literal, external practical since.
Ephesians 5:15-21 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for(G5228) all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (KJV)
Ephesians 5:15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for(G5228) everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." (ESV)
Ephesians 5:15-21 "Take accurate stock or your life; wise conduct defeats foolishness. Wisdom converts time into opportunity and frees our day from slog. Make his master plan your meditation. While wine offers no lasting escape from the evils of the day, spirit certainly does! Indulge in spirit intoxication! Speak Psalms to one another; burst out in spontaneous celebration songs and spirit-inspitation resonance. In your heart do not let the music stop; continue to touch the LORD with whispers of worship. Because you are identified in the Name of Jesus Christ, you can afford to always overflow in gratitude to the Father, [1]in spite of everything that happens to you. You are not under circumstances but above circumstances because you are in him! (The word, [1, G5228] huper, translates as, in spite of, over and above, beyond the reach of circumstances, superior to. We are not grateful "for" everything like in many other translations, but in spite of everything above them!) Inspired by the selfless consideration you witnessed in Christ, show perfect courtesy to one another. (The way he abandoned himself to the will of GOD and to us [v 2]. Look also at Colossians 1:24, "This is why no form of suffering can interfere with my joy. Every suffering on your behalf is just another opportunity to reinforce that which might still be lacking (in your understanding) of the afflictions of Christ on our behalf of his body, the church." (The inconvenience that Paul might be suffering on behalf of the believers is not to add to the sufferings of Christ---as though the sufferings of Christ on our behalf were insufficient but it is to further emphasize and confirm the principle of unselfish love that constrains NT ministry.) (The Mirror)
In our next visit we shall find Paul using marriage as the figure and type of our relationship to each others and to Christ. Until then may our LORD richly bless both you and yours by his revelation, the intuitive understanding of him who IS.
No comments:
Post a Comment